The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has called on the Igbo, to return to farming to avoid impending famine in Nigeria.
Recall that agriculture was the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy before the discovery of crude oil.
PWC noted that from 1960 to 1969, the sector accounted for an average of 57.0% of GDP and generated 64.5% of export earnings.
“From 1970 to late 2000s, the sector’s contribution to GDP and export earnings steadily declined, because Nigeria focus shifted to petroleum exploration. Over the past five years, the sector has contributed an average of 23.5% to GDP and generated 5.1% of export earnings”.
However, following the decline in youths involvement in the agricultural sector, IPOB in a statement on Tuesday advised Ndigbo to return to farming.
Read the full statement below:
“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great confident and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu calls on Biafrans to invest heavily in Agriculture this planting season. It is time for us to create food sufficiency in Biafra Land because we have the means and the fertile lands to make it happen.
IPOB calls on every Biafran to start farming on all agricultural products, particularly cash crops, to avert the impending famine in Nigeria. There is famine looming in Nigeria, and Biafrans must be prepared to avert the impending danger of starvation.
Hence, IPOB is calling on all Biafran philanthropists to support farmers in their communities by purchasing seedlings and other farming implements for them instead of giving them temporary food items.
“Farmers should be encouraged and supported to go into farming instead of sharing consumable foods to our people. Investors should start Agricultural Cottage Industries to process and preserve agricultural products for export. Biafrans have fertile and able lands for good yield. Other than cash crop production, our people can also invest in animal husbandry.
“Moreso, Biafrans should invest in agricultural research centers for quality research and development focused on growing our native food products efficiently. Ndigbo, it’s time to learn how to fish instead of just buying fish to eat.
“IPOB equally calls on patriotic Biafrans to sensitize our people on the importance of farming. Our people should understand that farming is very important. We should not believe in buying everything we eat from the market.
“As Biafrans, we must make food sufficiency a priority. We must not allow our enemies to have full control of our food supply and supply chain. Any nation that is incapable of feeding themselves will always be left in a vulnerable situation. Our people must be involved in the production of all cash crops, vegetables, and livestock that we utilize daily.
“On the part of IPOB, we will provide high-quality seedlings to some selected farmers to plant this planting season. Most importantly, IPOB/ESN has made appreciable gains in securing our forests, bushes, and farmlands against the marauding herdsmen to create a conducive environment to allow our farmers to return to their farms.”
